Questions & Answers – Practical Nursing = = = = =
Maternity Nursing Study Guide
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200 Exam Questions with Verified Answers &
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Detailed Rationales | Updated 2026/2027
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SECTION 1: ANTEPARTUM NURSING – NORMAL
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PREGNANCY (Questions 1-50) = = =
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Question 1: = =
A client at 28 weeks gestation reports painless vaginal bleeding.
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Which action should the PN take FIRST?
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A) Perform a vaginal exam = = = =
B) Place the client on bedrest and apply continuous fetal monitoring
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C) Give oral fluids
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D) Send client home with instructions
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Answer: B) Place the client on bedrest and apply continuous fetal
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monitoring =
,Rationale: Painless bleeding at 28 weeks is classic for placenta prev
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ia; vaginal exam is contraindicated until previa is ruled out because i
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t can cause catastrophic hemorrhage . The priority is maternal-
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fetal assessment with monitoring.
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Question 2: = =
A primigravida asks when she will first feel fetal movement. The PN c
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orrectly responds: = =
A) 8-10 weeks = =
B) 18-20 weeks = =
C) 24-26 weeks = =
D) 30 weeks = =
Answer: B) 18-20 weeks = = = =
Rationale: Quickening (first fetal movement) is typically felt at
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18-20 weeks in first pregnancies (primigravidas) and earlier (14-
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18 weeks) in multiparas .
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Question 3: = =
Which finding is expected during a normal 12-week prenatal visit?
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, A) Fetal heart rate 160 bpm via Doppler B) Fu
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ndal height at the symphysis pubis
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C) Positive serum β-hCG (already known)
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D) Fetal movement felt by examiner
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Answer: B) Fundal height at the symphysis pubis
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Rationale: At 12 weeks, the uterus is just palpable above the symphy
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sis pubis . Fetal heart rate may be heard but fundal height is the expe
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cted landmark at this gestation.
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Question 4: = =
A client's LMP was March 15, 2025. Using Nägele's rule, the EDD is:
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A) December 22, 2025 = = =
B) December 22, 2025 = = =
C) January 15, 2026 = = =
D) November 8, 2025 = = =
Answer: A) December 22, 2025
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Rationale: Nägele's rule: Subtract 3 months, add 7 days. March 15
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→ December 15 + 7 days = December 22, 2025 .
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